How to Protect Your Dog

The discovery of penicillin in 1928 and its large scale use in US military personnel during World War II revolutionized medicine and human animal health worldwide. Since then large pharmaceutical companies have discovered and developed nearly 150 antibiotics drugs. Now, the overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals has created worldwide growth of “super bugs” or bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic therapy. World health of humans and animals is now threatened by these same “miracle drugs.” Despite the enormity of the problem there are things you can do to protect your dog.

The Scope of Antibiotic Resistance

This year the World Health Organization published a report that surveyed 114 countries’ medical data about bacterial resistance. Here is a summary of the major findings:

50% of bacteria in many countries were resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat such infections

Life threatening bacteria like coli, Staphylococcus and Klebsiella are now resistant to the last drug of resort

20% of countries report coli bacteria resistant to the most commonly used drug for treatment

Accelerated use of antibiotics in animals:

“In many countries, the total amount of antibiotics use in animals (both food-producing and companion animals), measured as gross weight, exceeds the quantity used in the treatment of disease in humans.”

The use of the same drugs for human disease also used to treat animal disease, especially food- producing animals, contributes to cross species drug resistance

Food animals share common bacteria with humans and pets so resistant strains can be transferred through food

Present Solutions to Antibiotic Resistance

Presently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have asked pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily withdraw approval of antibiotics used to promote growth and feed efficiency in livestock. 24 companies have agreed. The FDA threatens further regulation against non-compliance.